Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak occurred during one season with no interruptions. So did Pete Rose's 44-game streak.
David Ortiz is still a long way from either of these numbers (he's at 22 as of today) but his streak carries over from last season and was interrupted by, I believe, two stints on the DL.
Is a long hitting streak interrupted by time off as impressive as those during one season? I'm a big Red Sox fan but I'm going to suguest it is not.
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No it is not.
Great question. No imho.
BTW - Joe Dimaggio's streak ended against the Cleveland Indians. Apparently (well before my time) a third basemen named Kenny Keltner made some great diving plays or Dimaggio's streak would have continued. On the other hand, I am guessing Dimaggio had a nub hit here or there to keep the streak going so it probably evens out. 56 games Wow! .406 same year - Wow!
Joe DiMaggio then hit in his next 16 straight games after the one hitless game. Other interesting facts:
That was not Joe DiMaggio's longest hitting streak as at age 18 he hit in 61 straight games in the Pacific Coast League for the second longest professional streak ever and the longest in the high minors.
Joe's brother Dominic had a 34 game hitting streak for the Boston Red Sox in 1949.
I want to see consecutive(with exception of team not playing that day) hit streak. Last season was last season.
It might be more impressive, given the nature of what it takes to be successful at hitting.
I would think the question might be asked in terms of "impressive to whom?"
As a fan who tends to appreciate hitting, with a son being a college hitting coach and who also had a 40 plus game hitting streak in college, whether the streak is all within one season or carries over from one season to the next, anything above 30 games is unique andpretty rare. In my view, it is a huge accomplishment and I am not about to lessen it by suggesting there is something wrong/different or of less meaning if it is done in consecutive games, but interrupted because a season ended. Being interrupted by stints on the DL can, in my view, be distinguished. With all of this said, there is a slightly different physical aspect when the streak overlaps 2 seasons. I am not too sure the mental pressure is different, though and not sure it isn't. Can we imagine what pressure would be on a hitter today if they approached the 56 games of DiMaggio?
My perspective is that all in one season vs carry over when one season ends is like Bowie Kuhn putting an asterisk on Roger Maris and his 61 home runs, but in 162 games. Didn't agree with Bowie.
